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Saline + Ketamine
Ketamine blocks NMDA glutamate receptors in the central nervous system, producing rapid-onset dissociative anesthesia and analgesia when administered intravenously in saline solution.
Ketamine blocks NMDA glutamate receptors in the central nervous system, producing rapid-onset dissociative anesthesia and analgesia when administered intravenously in saline solution. Used for Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, Acute pain management and analgesia, Sedation in intensive care settings.
At a glance
| Generic name | Saline + Ketamine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Physiological saline 0.9%, Ketamine, ATC code: N01A X03 |
| Sponsor | Ullevaal University Hospital |
| Drug class | NMDA receptor antagonist / Dissociative anesthetic |
| Target | NMDA receptor (glutamate-gated ion channel) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia / Pain Management |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Ketamine is a non-competitive antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor. This blockade interrupts pain signal transmission and produces dissociative anesthesia characterized by analgesia, amnesia, and preserved airway reflexes. The saline vehicle is a physiologic carrier for intravenous administration.
Approved indications
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
- Acute pain management and analgesia
- Sedation in intensive care settings
Common side effects
- Dissociation / out-of-body experiences
- Emergence reactions (hallucinations, delirium)
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
Key clinical trials
- Management of Pain in Lumbar Arthrodesis (PHASE4)
- Investigation of the NMDA Antagonist Ketamine as a Treatment for Tinnitus (PHASE2)
- Intraoperative Ketamine for Chronic Postoperative Pain After Open-Heart Surgery (NA)
- Gamma Oscillations as a Prognostic Marker for Ketamine Therapy in Treatment Resistant Depression (PHASE1)
- Ketamine Treatment of Youth Suicide Attempters (PHASE3)
- Intranasal Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Administration and Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Patients (PHASE4)
- Effect of Esketamine on Postoperative Sleep in Postmenopausal Women (NA)
- Ketamine, SGB and Combination Treatment for TBI (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Saline + Ketamine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Saline + Ketamine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Ullevaal University Hospital portfolio CI